The subjects of biopics don't usually tend to write and direct the film that will tell their life story (or part of it), and normally for good reason. You can't expect an unvarnished look at a career if you're controlling the viewpoint. Still, that isn't troubling Madonna, who has been developing a movie about herself for some time and has now zeroed in on Ozark actor Julia Garner to play the lead.
Garner, who according to Variety is close to accepting an offer to play the younger Madonna Ciccone in a film co-written by the singer/actor, Diablo Cody and Erin Cressida Wilson.
Finding the right lead has been the usual exhausting process and names such as Florence Pugh, Euphoria's Alexa Demie and Odessa Young have been floated alongside singers including Bebe Rexha and Sky Ferreira.
The film will tell the story of Madonna’s growth into a chart topping juggernaut and style icon with the staying power to become the all-time bestselling female artist — 335 million records worldwide — and the highest grossing solo touring numbers ever.
"I want to convey the incredible journey that life has taken me on as an artist, a musician, a dancer – a human being, trying to make her way in this world," she has said in a statement. "The focus of this film will always be music. Music has kept me going and art has kept me alive. There are so many untold and inspiring stories and who better to tell it than me. It’s essential to share the roller coaster ride of my life with my voice and vision."
Universal is backing the film, but there's no word yet on when it'll shoot or who else will star. It's clearly Madonna season, though, as Evan Rachel Wood will be seen later this year playing the Material Girl in Weird: The Al Yankovic Story.